Process of drying the composition heads of matches.



nnrrnn snares PATENT orrion VTILLIAM A. FAIRBURN, OF SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORTO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

rnocnss or DRYING THE, coMrosI'rIoiv HEADS or MATCHES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM A. FAIR- BURN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Short Hills, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Drying the Composition Heads of Matches, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to a process of drying the composition heads of matches during their production on a continuous match machine, my improvement having relation particularly to the drying of theimain head or bulb of double-dipped matches. In the fabrication of such matches, if the composition constituting the bulbs contain as an ingredient sodium chlorate, lead nitrate, barium chlorate, or other hygroscopic or slow-drying oxidizing salt, it is diflicult to secure the requisite homogeneity and dryness of the bulbs before the application thereto of the sensitive ignition tip composition.

It is the object of my invention to remove the moisture from such bulbs and permit of their homogeneity and perfect drying before I the sensitive ignition composition or second dip is applied. Accordingly, I arrange be tween the first and second dipping stations of a continuous match machine a series of succeeding drying zones through which progresses the match carrier with its load of splints having the bulbs formed thereon. In their passage through these, zones the matches are subjected to air currents of high I velocity and. relatively low humidity, say 15%, but of temperatures increasing in the successive zones from moderate to about 120 F., and then decreasing to about 80 IQ; that is to say, the air current in the first zone is of moderate temperature; that in the second zone is of somewhat higher temperature, say, 100 F., and that of the third chamber is of relatively higher temperature, say 120 F. In the next succeeding zone the temperature of the current is reduced to about 100 F., and inthefinal zone the temperature is still further reduced to about 80 F.

By the progressing and receding itemperature process above described the moisture is mechanically extracted by the air currents from the core of the match; and in a period of time, approximately fifteen Specification of Letters Patent.

minutes, a drying effect is obtained equivalent to days under ordinary atmospheric conditions, where the air is charged With relatively high humidity.

On an ordinary matchmachine composition-bulbs containing a slow-drying salt, as an oxidizer, fail to solidify even over night, and since such bulbs must be thoroughly dry before the sensitive tip composition can be effectually applied (as otherwise the latter composition softens the bulb and causes it to roll down the splint) it has heretofore been practically impossible to use a slowdrying salt as an ingredient in composition for the bulbs of double-dipped matches. By

my invention, however, the use of slow-dry:

ing oxidizing salts, such as barium chlorate, as well as extremely hygroscopic salts, such as sodium chlorate, can be efficiently used in match composition it being noted, however, that Where ahygroscopicsalt or salts is or are employed, a' protective film of waterproof substance should be formed on or applied to the completed match-heads.

The multiplesystem of drying zones above described is constituted by capacious chambers or compartments into which air is projected from a suitable source of supply. Any predetermined number of these chambers may be installed in order to obtain the proper drying effect, the important point being that the temperatures of the air currents in the succeeding chambers are relatively increased and then relatively decreased within proper limits; thus, for example, four zones may be employed, the air in the first being 100, the air in the second 120,the air in the third 100, and the air in the fourth 80; or, again, the tempera ture of the air in the first zone may be 90 or 100, in the second130, in the third 105 or 110 and in the fourth 80. 7

Although I have hereinbefore specified the use of drying air of constant humidity, viz., 15%, throughout the several chambers, it is to be noted that my invention in its broad aspect contemplates not only a variation of this percentage of humidity, but also the presence of different percentages of humidity in the air supplied to the various chambers. The relative humidity of the air introduced to the first zone may exceed 15% and yet be lower than that of the surrounding atmosphere and the rela- Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed. July 28, 1915. Serial N 0. 42,309. l

tive humidity of the air introduced to the succeeding chambers may be accordingly adjusted to the varying temperatures thereof. For example, in the first zone the temperature of the air may be 80 with 45% relative humidity; in-Vthe second chamber the temperature of the air maybe 100 with 25% relative humidity, in the third chamber 120 temperature with 15% humidity, and reversingin the succeeding chambers there would result an increase of humidity of the air therein as the temperature dropped.

I claim 1. In the manufacture of matches upon continuous match machine, a process which consists in applying to the match splints composition heads or bulbs containing an oxidizing agent as an ingredient; and then transporting the splints thus treated through a series of drying zones, wherein they are subjected first to air currents of successively increasing temperatures and then to air currents of successively decreasing temperatures.

2. In the manufacture of matches upon a continuous match machine, a process which consists in applying to the match splints composition heads or bulbs containing an oxidizing agent as an ingredient; then transporting the splints thus treated through a series of drying zones, wherein they are subjected first to air currents of successively increasing temperatures and then to air currents of successively decreasing temperacontinuous match machine, a process which consists in'applying to the match splints composition heads or bulbs containing an oxidizing agent as an ingredient; then transporting the splints thus treated through a series of drying zones and therein subjecting them to air currents of high velocity, predetermined relative humidity, and successively increasing and decreasing temperatures; and then applying sensitive ignition composition to said heads or bulbs.

'41. In the manufacture of matchesupon a continuous match machine, a process which consists-in applying to the match splints composition heads or bulbs containing an oxidizing agent as an ingredient; then transporting the splints thus treated through a series of drying zones and therein subjecting them to air currents of high velocity and relatively low humidity, the temperature in several of'such zones increasing successively from moderate to about 120 F., and in the remaining zones decreasing successively to about 80 F.;. and then applying sensitive ignition tips to said heads or bulbs.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York this 26th day of July WILLIAM A, FAIRBURN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the fGommissioner of Patents.

7 Washington, D. C. i 

